Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

"We're making a giant U-turn here. Are we really going to be a thriving, productive society if we have a huge share of our population uninsured?" – Kathy Hempstead, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

As the government shutdown drags on, families, workers, and communities across the country are suffering. This crisis—manufactured and entirely avoidable—must end now. It is not a political tactic; it is a direct threat to the health, stability, and dignity of the American people.

We’re in the third week of a government shutdown.  Why did this happen, what does it mean for you and your neighbors, and what can be done to bring it to an end?  

Police reform can’t wait. See how Kyren Lacy’s death exposes deep failures in policing and serves as a reminder of the devastating cost of racial bias. | Remembering a life. As we honor George Floyd's memory and legacy, see what's changed and what work remains in the last 5 years since his murder. | The movement in action. We gathered changemakers in NYC for our Get Out The Vote Registration Drive and Civic Engagement Summit. Relive the moments. | Join us this Tuesday! Tune in to our End the Shutdown Virtual Town Hall on October 14 for a critical discussion on the impacts of the government shutdown. | Save the date. It's almost time for our Equal Opportunity Dinner, an evening to celebrate progress and invest in the work ahead. See what's in store this year! | Philanthropy in Action. Watch as the Chairman of our Board of Trustees, Tim Murphy, discusses how philanthropy drives economic empowerment. | Networking doesn’t have to feel awkward. Tap into our FREE webinar on Wednesday to learn how to leverage your personality to level up your career. | Ready to shop? Our online store is the perfect place to shop for official Urban League merchandise. Check it out.

Marc H. Morial 
President and CEO
National Urban League

“Every day we wake up, we fight battles nobody sees. Be kind. Be accountable. Be human.” – Ryan Clark.

America has a long history of overpolicing Black men, scapegoating them as criminals without due process. The tragic death of rising LSU football star Kyren Lacy is no different. Not only was his death completely preventable, but the Louisiana State Police should be held accountable for an arrest and prosecution without cause, without an investigation, and investigated for discriminatory policing practices. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 9. 2025) — As the nation marks Digital Inclusion Week, the National Urban League is calling on U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth to reinstate the Digital Equity Act (DEA) grant programs and protect state flexibility to use BEAD non-deployment funds for workforce development, digital skills training, telehealth, and education as Congress originally intended.

“Digital inclusion is civil rights work, economic development work, and democracy work,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “Infrastructure is only step one. True digital equity means ensuring that people, especially those in historically underserved communities, have the skills, tools, and support they need to connect, learn, and thrive.”